Wayne Brown says the established pathway between Colchester United’s first team and their academy is a “massive selling point for the club”.

The U’s youngsters play their final pre-season friendly of the season at Thurrock tonight, as they build up towards their opening Professional Development League Two clash with Birmingham City under-23s which takes place at the Weston Homes Community Stadium, next Monday night.

Colchester’s academy players made more than 200 appearances between them for the club’s first team last season, with five of their former youth-team players on the pitch at the end of their game at Accrington Stanley, last weekend.

Dan Jefferies, Sam Warde, Dominic Kurasik and Callum Sturgess have all been drafted into the development squad from higher-league clubs recently - and under-23 manager Brown thinks the U’s philosophy has played a big part.

Brown told the Daily Gazette: “It’s a massive selling point for the club.

“They obviously still have to earn their opportunity and work to try and get into our first team as much as they would at every other club.

“But the way that we work, if you’re good enough then you’ll be given an opportunity.

“I think that’s a good pull for the club, especially with young lads who have been at Category One clubs like Swansea City and for whatever reason not quite made the grade there.

“It’s hopefully an opportunity for us to try and get some good young players on board and work with some good talent.”